ALMOST every secondary school in Bradford has signed up to take part in a scheme to provide free period products to pupils, new figures reveal.

The data, from the Department of Education, shows two-thirds of education settings in the Bradford district have accessed the scheme since it began in January 2020.

Of secondary schools, 97 per cent have taken part in the scheme, above the national average, while in primary schools it is 60 per cent, just below average.

The figures reveal 206 organisations - primary schools, secondary schools, post-16 provision, special schools, and alternative provision - took part, ordering on average £367.50 worth of products.

Schools can order include period pads and tampons, and environmentally friendly alternatives such as period cups and reusable pads.

They are available to all pupils who need them, including those who have forgotten products, start their period unexpectedly, or cannot afford them.

The scheme was introduced following campaigning from The Red Box Project to fight period poverty, and with the cost of living rising it said now more than ever its crucial youngsters have access to necessities.

Co-founder Clegg Bamber said: "The rising tide of the cost of living means household budgets are needing to stretch further.

"Free period products can be the lifeline to young people who don't have access to them, and no one must miss out on their education because they have their period."

Every Dixons Academies Trust school in the Bradford district is signed up to the scheme to support its pupils.

Sir Nick Weller, the trust's chief executive, said: "For some families period poverty is real and by signing up to this excellent scheme we ensure sanitary products are freely available for all who need them, when they need them, in order to attend school and access education, which is the aim of the scheme.

"I know this is a well-used resource in our academies and pupils really appreciate it."

Councillor Imran Khan, executive member for education at Bradford Council, said: “We fully support the scheme; no young person should miss a single day’s education or suffer embarrassment at school for lack of access to period products.

“We're delighted to see the high level of take up in Bradford schools. When the scheme launched all schools were contacted by hygiene services provider PHS and invited to sign up to the ordering portal. Registration is still open and we encourage schools to make use of it.

“The need is clearly greater at secondary level which explains the high take-up, and we don’t doubt our primary schools support their pupils who are in need whether or not they are registered with this scheme.”

Will Quince, minister for children and families, added: “I encourage every school and college to check their stocks and continue to order products before the end of the academic year.

"It is the quickest and simplest way of making sure they are available to everyone who needs them."